1326/Arranging Living Arrangements

Arranging Living Arrangements
Date of Scene:	21 March 2024
Location:	Dorms #1
Synopsis:	Rashmi and Wako *both* showed interest in Chiyo's request for a dorm-mate, and it looks like one will have to step aside... Until it's discovered that triple dorms exist! And most are free! A little magical breaking and entering later, and the trio have scouted out their dorm of choice, already making plans for the roomie adventure to come...
Cast of Characters:	Wako Agemaki, Chiyo Sakai, Rashmi Terios

---

Wako Agemaki has posed:
The thought begins almost as a whim, really, sparked by reading Chiyo's post on the school's forum. Wako mulls on it for a while, weighing the considerations in her head. On the one hand, she's never had to share a room before. On the other hand, aren't these kinds of experiences what going to a high school on the mainland was all about?

Besides, now that Sugata's in Tokyo, it's not like she can't just head over to his place if she ever needs some space.

By the time classes are through for the day, Wako's made up her mind. "Chiyo-chan!" She lengthens her stride to catch up with the taller girl on her way out of the building. "Are you busy? I wanted to ask you about something, if you've got a minute."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai pauses when she hears someone call out her name already begining to half-turn to look over her shoulder. She doesn't get more than that half-turn when the curls of her hair get in the way, and she's forced to sweep the errant curl aside with a flick of her wrist. It's then that she can see properly to spot Wako with a smile. "Wako-chan, how are you? What's up?" It wasn't often someone caught her on the way out of school. Usually it was while she was at the shop so she's definitely curious.

Shifting her grip on the bag strap slung over her shoulder she tugs the full-to-bursting bag up a bit with relative ease in spite of how extremely heavy it looks. It wasn't really a problem to her. If she wasn't as strong as she was, she'd probably have a smaller bag. Somehow she manages to find what she needs in it at least.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi is on a nearby bench, changing out of her school shoes and collecting what books she'll need for homework. Her own school bag is so rarely full, thanks to her habit of keeping items of import in Nicomachea, who keeps a running inventory and can remind her if he's holding onto something for her. As scatterbrained as Rashmi can be when she's moving under full steam, this is an *absolute benefit* of her place in the magical community.

Her head pops up as she hears Wako's voice, and spotting her and Chiyo talking, she offers the both of them a bright smile and wave, but doesn't yet seem inclined to butt in on their conversation.

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Catching Rashmi's wave, Wako smiles and waves back, but then returns her attention to Chiyo. "I just wanted to ask if you'd already found a roommate yet," she explains. "Because I saw your post, and I have a single, but I've been thinking I don't really need it, and there's no sense making Grandmother pay the extra fee just so I can have my own dorm room. So if you haven't already found someone to room with, maybe we could room together when the new school year starts... if you wouldn't mind Vice President being in and out, anyway."

She tacks on that last disclaimer with a self-conscious little laugh. "I think I'm rambling, sorry."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances to the side at the sight of movement when Rashmi waves earning another smile from her. A little half-lift of her hand comes in return because this was the hand currently burdened with her bag strap.

Shifting her attention back toward Wako she tips her head to the side with a small thoughtful frown. "Vice President isn't too bad, compared to some I've seen. He's at least mostly quiet," she has to admit with a chuckle. But her head tips to the side as she gestures toward Rashmi while starting to walk in that direction as well expecting Wako to come with her. "Actually Rashmi and I were looking at rooming together. I haven't had time yet to put up that I got a response, I'm sorry."

She wasn't the greatest at raising her voice outside of henshin but she does speak a bit louder as they approach Rashmi to say, "Wako was also interested in rooming," to explain to the other girl exactly what was going on.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
As the pair start actively walking in her direction, Rashmi stands up, knocking her toes against the floor to get her shoe settled properly. When Chiyo explains what's going on, she tilts her head to one side, eyebrows rising. "Oh! I mean if you'd rather, that'd be fine too!"

The redhead then blinks, sharply; apparently Nicomachea's lodging a formal complaint at the swiftness with which Rashmi stepped aside. One eye's still closed, as she fetches her phone. "...Let me look something up, real quick," she says, rubbing her ear with her free hand as she starts paging through the school's internal sites.

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako trails alongside Chiyo, taking long steps to keep pace with Chiyo's longer legs. "Oooooh," she says, eyes widening as Chiyo explains, and she looks apologetically between the other two. "I was too late, then. It's okay!"

Regarding them both, she smiles and shakes her head in good-natured regret. "I'm a little envious, though - Nounamu-chan and Korma-chan in the same room." She grins, her tone lightly teasing. "Too bad for me there's no such thing as a triple."

Then she pauses. "--Is there such thing as a triple?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
At the sudden giving up of the 'dibs' that Rashmi had on the roommate situation, Chiyo can't help but grimace a little. That was rather quick after all. "I didn't mean it that way, I just thought... I don't know maybe we should discuss it?" Empty hands are held out in a helpless sort of shrug. Maybe some part of her was still uncertain about leaving her Ojiisan alone on his own, even though she had made the decision already.

Wako's question is a good one though.

Uncertain she looks back toward Wako, then Rashmi, with a little shake of her head. "--I don't know, actually."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Juuuuust what I'm checking, actually," Rashmi says, looking up and flushing. "Aheh... Sorry Chiyo, just... reflex. Like it's a thing I would love to pieces, I just don't want to be the reason someone *else* gets disappointed, and... well yeah. Standing up for myself is still a kind of new thing--"

A new page comes up, and her eyebrows rise. "...Huh! Looks like there *are* a few triples, in the corners where they didn't have *enough* room to make two doubles, but the angles were too weird to be anything else. And... looks like most of them are empty!"

Looking up from her phone, she looks from Chiyo, to Wako, and a wide grin splits her face. "So uh... Who's up to have *two* roommates?"

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako's face lights up with a delighted answering grin. "Me!" she replies immediately. "That sounds like it would actually be amazing. If Chiyo-chan doesn't mind, anyway?"

Her eyes go to Chiyo, with a questioning look. "I can promise I won't be in the way too much. I'm actually up pretty early most mornings, and I have places I can go for rehearsals so I won't have to disturb either of you while you're studying or trying to sleep or whatever. And Vice President doesn't make a mess."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Really?" That kind of made sense once Chiyo thought about it. If there was a mix of doubles and singles, eventually there'd be some odd room left over in the layout. Corner rooms at that! It just meant she had to consider if she wanted two roommates.

There was no question she got along well with both Wako and Rashmi, after all.

Smiling anew she gives a quick bob of her head. "I'd be willing to give it a try!" The insistance from Wako earns a little laugh. "I get up early, too. I'm used to helping Ojiisan prep mochi in the morning for the shop. It's a good workout so I'll probably be up early," she explains to both. "And Bonito is going to be in and out some too, probably. Though he really is like a cat and just sleeps most of the time."

Her gaze sweeps between the two judging their reactions. "Should we go check out the room?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I'm *used* to getting up early, thanks to morning prep starting my parents' day at like 5," Rashmi chuckles. "Might change now that I don't have so much walking to get to school, but even if not it won't bother me. Also um... I'm pretty sure about Bonito-san, but is Mister President-san okay with *not* chasing birds? Only I plan on setting up a space for Chrono's Familiar, Fenyx, and she's normally a really pretty little bird."

It sounds like the third option appeals enough to get the details hashed out now, but at Chiyo's suggestion she grins, bobbing her head. "Sounds like a great idea!"

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako considers Rashmi's question for a moment, then nods. "He chases insects sometimes," she says, "but I've never seen him try to chase birds. He might be curious, but I don't think he'll bother her. He's pretty small himself. And if he does try, we'll just have him stay with Takuto-kun."

That is perhaps more confidence on her part than is called for, as far as making the fox stay anywhere he doesn't feel like staying, but either way Wako sure seems certain it won't be an issue. She nods again, enthusiastically, to Chiyo's suggestion: "Yes! Let's go see how much space we'll have to work with."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Oh, Bonito prefers handouts and snacks. He doesn't need to actually hunt for food at all so he's good." It helped having a sentient familiar that was actually a fire spirit. And a shape shifter.

When Rashmi and Wako both agree she grins again. "Great! Let's go then. Does it show you which ones are open, Rashmi? We can at least peek and get an idea." A pause before she adds with her voice dropped a bit, "Even if the door doesn't work I've heard the windows usually do?"

The dorms weren't too far off at least, just a short walk to explore the potential area. "I'd love it if we could at least get a hot plate in there. I know we're probably not supposed to but warm snacks are really nice after being out late."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Did you know there are *plenty* of curries you can make in just a rice cooker?" Rashmi says, as if it were a 'fun fact' and not a declaration of intent. Which it probably absolutely is. "And.. sec..."

Poke.

Poke poke.

Swipe. Tap. Poke.

"...We're gonna have to go in through the window," she says after a moment. "That's if we want to look *now,* and not in a couple days after an appointment. Which we'll probably want to do anyway so we have a claim on it."

Wako Agemaki has posed:
The halo of sparkles around Wako's head is practically visible to the naked eye. "I mean," she says, "some of the guys have set up all kinds of stuff in their dorm rooms. I'm sure we could have at least a rice cooker and a hot plate or something along those lines without any trouble. I'll see about getting us a mini-fridge, too, if there's room enough."

At Rashmi's confirmation that they can't just walk in from the hallway, she stops and looks up at the dorm building, bringing up one hand to shade her eyes. "So we'll make an appointment," she says. "But for right now... any idea which window, Rashmi-chan?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai tips her head up to regard the dorms. The building itself was that tall, really, only a few stories. The windows had a little ledge outside them all that made it seem as if they would be easy enough to land on with a good jump. Could she do it without transforming? ... Not something she'd considered before, but she knew she was strong even without henshining.

"Window it is then. Rashmi, can Nico... Nicomacea is it?" A little frown comes. "I'm sorry that's an odd name for me to pronounce. I'll get it soon. Can he put us on the wait list right now? If none are filled that's a good sign at least, I hope." It meant more of a chance to actually get accepted.

"We should maybe try one around back if we can though since it's still day out," she adds with a wry chuckle.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Ni-ko-ma-ki-a," Rashmi sounds out, chuckling. "It'll get easier the better you do in English class, don't worry. And... Yeah the appointment's made, and I put our preference as the one on the top floor. But so far, it looks like only the second-floor triple is taken up, so... We're pretty much assured to get what we want, and the only people we have to worry about coming through our window are people who probably have urgent business with us anyway."

Looking up at the top floor, she wanders around away from the main roads, occasionally staring into the middle distance at a screen only she can see. "...That's the one," she says, pointing. "Would anyone need help getting up there, in henshin?"

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako follows Rashmi's lead, until she can track from the direction pointed to the window Rashmi's indicating. "Honestly," she says, "only one of us should need to fly up, right? Once someone's in the window, they can open the door from the inside. I can go - it's not like I hide to begin with."

It's entirely probable that Rashmi and Nicomachea have a more subtle solution on tap, but Wako doesn't wait to find out. She takes a step or two aside, clearing room, and then:

"Apprivoiser!"

The Y-shaped emblem on her chest flares, enveloping her in glittering pink light. In moments, Ginga Otome is lofting into the air, aiming for the window that Rashmi pointed out to them.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"I could jump," Chiyo responds already considering trying it OUT of henshin. Nevermind she had her skirt on, she did so many other things while in henshin in a skirt that she was becoming far too accustomed to that. Thankfully she's spared having to risk it when it's Wako that says the rational thing once.

Which just earns a single blink as she watches Ginga Otome head up there.

Looking back to Rashmi she stares a moment, then remarks quietly, "I feel like one of us should have realized that." A thought which earns a little half-repressed giggle at the entire situation.

"Okay, meet you inside!" She calls up with a shake of her head. At least it's quick to go INSIDE, and up the stairs isn't hard. The path to the front door is easy.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I was *just* telling myself why I shouldn't throw up a Barrier to make it simpler," murmurs a flushing Rashmi in return. "And I guess I can only have one reasonable second-thought at a time? C'mon if we hurry we'll be there when the door opens," she says, putting all of her 'five minutes and three floors till next class after lunch' hurrying practice to good work.

Wako Agemaki has posed:
It's just a bit Glinda the Good Witch of the North, the way the Galactic Maiden's transparent pink shield delivers her to the outer ledge of the window. Once there, with a bit of fiddling and a whole lot of carefully not looking down, Wako gets the window open and slips inside. She takes a moment to slide it shut behind her before she de-transforms.

After that, it's just a matter of crossing the room to open the door for Chiyo and Rashmi. "Okaeri~!" she greets them in cheerful sing-song.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai took the steps two at a time only to REGRET that choice because she's having to lean her hand to the wall to suck in a few quick breaths. It only takes a second or two for her to recover but she doesn't exactly look put together when Ginga opens the door for them.

The greeting causes her to grin anew with a bit of excitement at the thought of poking around the room with her new soon-to-be roommates. "So how is it?" She asks, even as she steps forward to glance around inside. No doubt it was empty or mostly so at this point but it would still be a good way to see what room they *would* have.

"I know Usagi-chan and Naru-chan's room has bunkbeds but that's a double. Does this one use regular beds, or futons maybe?" Such thoughts. What would be easiest?

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi is... not... athletic. In fact she might be considered just this side of 'a little bit chubby,' but when one's entire life is spent around the making and eating of delicious food, one's outline loses some angles. So she needs a bit more recovery time than Chiyo, and is *quite* bedraggled-looking as Wako opens the door.

But, like Chiyo, just the *idea* that they're about to explore 'their dorm' is enough to put some spring back in her step, as she follows Chiyo in.

"Whaaaa~! Bunkbed *desks?!*"

Wako Agemaki has posed:
"Yeah!" Wako fairly bounces back from the doorway to let the other two into the room, presenting it to them with a flourish as if she had anything to do with the setup. "Which leaves us plenty of space, even once we add the mini-fridge. And here," she heads over to open up the closet that lines most of one wall. "Lots of closet, too. This should be enough for all three of us, right?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai walks toward one of the desk-bunks with a glance up toward the ceiling. "That's kind of clever, actually. *Three* less pieces of furniture to try and stuff in here. Lots of floor space," she has to admit as well before gesturing to the bed part again with a grin. "And there's still a good amount of space between the bed and ceiling too. We could probably even put up some little wall shelves if we need a bit of extra space. Or even just some rolling drawers under the desk," she adds tipping down to look there, too.

The closet space newly revealed gains her attention with a hum. "Yeah, I don't have too much. School uniforms and then some casual clothes, and night clothes. If I need anything special I can just run over to the shop to grab it to help save space."

A beat, and she adds solemnly, "I promise I will *not* bring any of the dresses my mother has sent me over the years." There's obvious distate there.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Just because you don't have enough *now,* doesn't mean you won't *later,*" Rashmi notes, raising a finger. "So you'll get an equal share of the closet, and worry about what to put in it later."

The redhead roams among the three beds, peeking up and over them, as though to scout out which she'd prefer to spend most of a night in. "...Do either one of you *not* like being right next to a window, by the way?"

Wako Agemaki has posed:
"I don't have a ton, either," says Wako, as she roams about the room looking at this and that, "since I didn't want to have to haul too much luggage here from the island. If I do end up overflowing my share of the space, though, I can always stash some things at Sugata-kun's... Anyway, Rashmi-chan's right. No short-changing yourself!"

Rashmi's question about the windows gives her pause, and she comes over to regard the two outward-facing walls. "I'd rather be by a window," she says, "unless you both really want one. It's just--" suddenly she looks vaguely sheepish, "Takuto-kun has gotten used to being able to fly up, so..."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai reaches up to clamp a hand over her face at mention of Takuto and flying up to windows. SOMEHOW that didn't surprise her at all. "I'm fine without being near one, but it doesn't really bug me either way," she admits as her hand drops away again.

"Alright, I'll take my share of the closet too. Storage space is always good. I will say if Takuto scares me by showing up out of the blue he might get something thrown at him though," she warns lightly. Only to pause, and glances at Rashmi thoughtfully.

"... I just realized I'm the only single one out of us."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...I didn't think of that," Rashmi says, looking a bit sheepish. "Okay so new dorm rule; Chiyo-chan, if you don't want to have guests on a day, just say so and we won't get upset. It's gonna be your place too, so you *do* get that right." She nods firmly, doubting she'll need to go to the mat over this point but quite ready to.

"But if you don't mind, I'll take the other window bed? And... oh yeah. What d'you two feel about having movie nights? ...Turns out... Nicomachea figured out the trick of video formats, and he doesn't even need a wall to project on."

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako's eyes widen, and she nods very seriously along with Rashmi's suggestion. "That's a good idea," she agrees. "Takuto-kun won't do anything fishy, anyway, but having some rules about guests wouldn't hurt. Especially with there being three of us. Each one of us should be able to be comfortable in our own dorm room."

She'll wait for Chiyo's word as to the claiming of the window beds, but she brightens up quite a bit at the prospect of movie nights. "That sounds great to me," she tells Rashmi. "Way to go, Nicomachea."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"I would appreciate that, honestly. I'll try to be good about not overusing it, but sometimes it would be nice," Chiyo admits about calling ahead about needing a 'no visitor' rule for a day. At least Rashmi was good about thinking of rules. She'd never really had a roommate before so wasn't sure what to suggest.

"Movies sound good," she agrees with a grin. Her head tips toward Wako looking amused as well. "I don't think he'd try anything. I just meant don't sneak up on me by accident. I'm not used to people popping in through windows just yet. That's usually MY job," she jokes.

More seriously she starts walking across the open space of the room considering. "Would we want a kotatsu or is that too old fashioned these days? We have one at home."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"If I intend to make rice-cooker curry," Rashmi says with a grin, "then a kotatsu would *absolutely* work... And I think we have *just* enough room for one and still be able to get to the closet..."

Getting up on her tiptoes, she performs a more thorough examination of 'her' bed, and the window on the other side. "'Knock first' signs on the windows feels like a good idea," she muses. "People are probably gonna ignore it... a couple times. *Then* they'll know better."

Wako Agemaki has posed:
Wako's gone a bit starry-eyed again. "A kotatsu? Yes please! I've only gotten to use one once, at Inai-sensei's - it's too warm in my hometown to need them." She's wandered over to the other window-side bed to scope it out, and now she looks to the window with a sigh. "It's almost too bad it'll be getting warmer by the time the new term starts... but we can still enjoy it for a little while, and then pull it back out when it starts getting cool again in the fall."

A beat, and she grins over at Rashmi. "Definitely a good idea. And if anyone doesn't learn fast, that'll be on them. In any case, I'll warn Takuto-kun not to surprise either of you. He's the considerate type."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai smiles a bit as both seem quite interested in the kotatsu. "Most of them do have folding legs so they can be put away when you don't need them. Just lean them up against the wall," she points out with a little gesture. "And fold up the blankets. I'm good with that though, they are very comfortable."

"Okay so knocking, share the closet, and dibs on when I want a non-visitor night. Emergencies excluded," she ammends because every now and then there were those instances. "What other rules should we have? Or I guess that's enough for now." She looks down to her watch with a chuckle. "We probably shouldn't hang around here too long before we're actually *allowed* in here. It sounds like things will work with all of us, though."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I think those are good starter rules, personally?" Rashmi says, nodding her head as Chiyo mentions the time. "We're *gonna* end up making more obviously, but *I'm* really excited! I've only ever lived with my parents, I've never *had* roommates before!"

And it does, indeed, seem that the three of them are well suited to be among the few trios able to occupy a dorm all at the same time.

Will that situation remain intact? Or will there be dorm issues half again as dramatic as in the doubles?

Find out next time, on Delicious In Dorm Room!